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BRIDGTON — The following questions and answers are a result of a community forum sponsored by Lake Region Adult Education and Lakes Region Substance Abuse Coalition. Answers are provided by Lakes Region Substance Abuse Coalition members with expertise in the fields of medicine, treatment, recovery, mental health, prevention and public policy.
In this installment, questions pertain to prevention and intervention.
This has been edited for space considerations. For a complete copy of this installment and the other installments, email lrsacoalition@gmail.com.
Q: HOW CAN OPIOID DEPENDENCE DISORDERS BE PREVENTED?
A: There are several effective prevention strategies: safe prescribing practices, prescription monitoring and safe disposal programs, access to mental health services, early intervention and access to treatment for victims of trauma or other substance use disorders, anti-stigma campaigns, and community coalitions using universal prevention best practices throughout a community. Prevention opportunities exist at all levels in a community — personal, family, institutional, and public policy.
Q: ARE CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH CARE POLICIES ADEQUATE FOR ADDRESSING RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPIOID CRISIS? IF NOT, WHAT ARE SOME POLICIES THAT COULD HELP?
A: On a federal level, addressing the opioid crisis appears to be one of the few issues that garners bipartisan support. Congress overwhelmingly passed the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act, which is the first major piece of addiction legislation in decades. However, existing evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies are highly underused, including policies that improve opioid prescribing practices, expand the use of the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone, improve the integration of MAT medication assisted treatment services in specialty care and primary care, provide pain management training for medical professionals, improve patient access to comprehensive treatment and recovery services, target law enforcement efforts to address doctor shopping and pill mills and divert individuals with substance use disorders to drug courts, and develop pain treatments with reduced potential for misuse and diversion. States have also delivered aggressive policies over the past few years. Whether or not these policies are “adequate” remains to be seen.
Q: IF THE MEDICAID EXPANSION REFERENDUM PASSES IN NOVEMBER, WHAT EFFECT WOULD YOU SPECULATE ADDED HEALTH CARE COVERAGE WOULD HAVE ON SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND RECOVERY IN MAINE?
A: Lack of ability to pay for substance use disorder treatment is one of the most significant barriers reported for people in need of it. It’s easy to speculate that expanding Medicaid healthcare coverage for as many as 70,000 low-income people under age 65 in Maine, enrolling them in Maine Care, would have a positive effect on prevention, treatment and recovery of SUD and opioid use disorders.
Q: WHAT PREVENTION/INTERVENTION ROLES CAN SPIRITUAL LEADERS TAKE?
A: Become educated on the subject. Provide information to congregations about substance use disorders, prevention, treatment and recovery. Advocate for community action and share resources and support for prevention and intervention services, such as recovery support groups for people with SUD and their families. Clergy can attend special training to expand their pastoral counseling role to include SUD assessment and referral to treatment, helping those with SUD to reach out to others for help. Let people know treatment works and help is available. Participate in community wide anti-stigma campaign. Consider preaching a sermon on the subject. Get creative, there are as many options as there are clergy. Contact LRSAC to brainstorm ideas.
Q: WHEN AND WHERE ARE THERE MEETINGS FOR FAMILIES WHO LOVE SOMEONE WITH A SUD?
A: Friends and families find support at meetings held throughout Maine. Visit www.al-anon.alateen.org for information about Al-Anon or Al-Ateen. There is a meeting at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 S. High St., Bridgton at 7 p.m. every Tuesday. Treatment providers may also offer family support meetings. Crossroads in Windham offers The Effects of Addiction on Friends & Family four-week educational series to anyone who has a loved one with a substance abuse problem. Call 877-694-9062 to register or for more information.
Q: HOW OFTEN DO MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS CO-OCCUR?
A: According to a published report in the Journal of Science and Practice Perspectives, 40 percent of those with substance use disorders have a co-occurring mental health diagnosis. Among individuals with a mood disorder, 32 percent have a co-occurring substance use disorder. In communities where mental health education is lacking, the risk of mental illness going undiagnosed is high.
For more information, contact Lakes Region Substance Abuse Coalition. LRSAC also seeks community volunteers with time and talent to help. Recovery experience is valued. The coalition meets 4:30 to 6 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the Bridgton Municipal Complex, 3 Chase St., in the downstairs meeting room. The public is welcome.
